DP Ruto defends leaked Kenya Kwanza power deal

Deputy President William Ruto has defended the Kenya Kwanza coalition agreement, saying his team is transparent unlike the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya camp that he claims is opaque and operating on the basis of secrecy and mistrust.

The DP, while on the campaign trail to charm Nairobi voters on Friday, said if elected his government will ensure the ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ push for Mt. Kenya region without having to change the Constitution.

Since revelations of the details of the Kenya Kwanza power-sharing deal, the DP and his team have been on the receiving end with opponents slamming him over attempts to revive the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) through the back door, the same document he has all along been opposed to.

"Mkataba yenu inaandikwa usiku. Inaandikwa wakati watu wamefunga macho na sasa haiwezi kupatikana ata wale waliandika hiyo mkataba yenu hawana nakala wanalalamika saa hizi. Mambo yetu na nyinyi ni tofauti kama usiku na mchana," he said.  

The DP maintained his hard stance on the BBI claiming that it was meant to create more leadership positions in the government.

"Nyinyi mlikuwa mnataka kutumia bilioni hamsini kubadilisha katiba, sisi tutawaonyesha vile ya kupanga serikali bila kuharibu pesa ya wananchi," said Ruto.

While attempting to assuage the fears of the Mt. Kenya vote block amid accusations that he opposed BBI that would have given the region more resources, Ruto said he will ensure the region is well represented without changing the Constitution.

His sentiments come in the wake of threats by former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo to walk out of Kenya Kwanza over claims that Mt. Kenya's interests were not captured in the leaked document.

"Ata ile ya ‘one man, one vote’ tunaweza kutekeleza bila ya kubadilisha katiba," said the DP. 

Kenya Kwanza leaders who accompanied the DP urged Mwiki, Njiiru and Sandton residents to vote for Ruto saying he is best suited to put Kenya’s economy back on track.